Gordon not happy with Stremme

DAYTONA 500

Rookie David Stremme's bumping of Jeff Gordon gets a reprimand from the guy who is used to winning at Daytona.

February 20, 2006|By Andrew Carter, Sentinel Staff Writer

DAYTONA BEACH -- The first thing Jeff Gordon did after he climbed out of his No. 24 Chevrolet was take a swig of water.

The second was vent.

David Stremme, a Nextel Cup rookie, approached Gordon and attempted to make peace. Stremme, driving the No. 40 Dodge, had bumped Gordon some during the afternoon.

Gordon didn't want to hear the youngster's explanation.

Among other things, Gordon told the rookie, "You've got a long way to go."

It was an odd way for Gordon to conclude a race at Daytona International Speedway. During his career, he has ridden the track to six victories, including the Daytona 500.

But Gordon simply ended with anger and frustration Sunday. He finished 26th, way down in the bottom half of the field.

And it had begun with so much promise. Gordon started the race in the No. 2 position. He was the leader on Lap 24. Then, in an instant, everything changed. As usual on this day, it had something to do with Tony Stewart.

On Lap 48, just after Stewart lost his lead to Jamie McMurray, Gordon slid into Stewart's No. 20 Chevrolet.

"I'm going to take part-blame on that, but I think Tony needs to take part of it as well," Gordon said.

The incident happened when Stewart moved toward the outside of the track. Gordon saw an opening in the middle and took it, but the hole closed before he could pass Stewart.

"I think it could have been avoided by both of us," Gordon said. "It's an unfortunate incident, and it cost us both a lot."

It cost Gordon a lot more than it did Stewart, who recovered to finish fifth.

Both drivers had to make pit stops to repair damages. Gordon, though, never contended again and spent most of the rest of the race languishing in the middle of the pack.

It was hardly the start to the season Gordon had been hoping for. He finished 11th in the points last season -- disappointing by his standards. In 2005, Daytona was one of the few places where Gordon performed like normal. He won the 500 last year and finished seventh in the Pepsi 400.

Gordon's finish was his lowest in the 500 since he came in 30th in 2001.

"It was a long day for the DuPont Chevrolet Monte Carlo," Gordon said. "We fought back all we could."

And for a while, it seemed as if the fight might pay dividends and lead to another top-10 finish.

"Unfortunately, we got caught up in that last deal with Kurt Busch, and that really got us behind," Gordon said. "I thought we had a shot at top 10 with that tore-up race car before that."

During the race, Gordon's car had smoked. It had banged against others, swerved to avoid wrecks, gotten into trouble and escaped it.

"I saw a lot of guys driving aggressive," Gordon said. "I'm sure a lot of stuff could have been avoided, but I saw a lot of things out there that were just out of control. What are you going to do? It's restrictor-plate racing."

It's the kind of racing Gordon has excelled in, which made his mediocre finish all the more upsetting.